Effects of Gelatin and Nano‐ZnO on the Performance and Properties of Cellulose Acetate Water Membranes

This study explores the antifungal potential of zinc oxide (ZnO) and molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) nanoparticles (NPs) against Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium graminearum, two major fungal pathogens threatening wheat production and grass pastures. Three sizes of ZnO NPs (30nm, 200nm, and 20μm) and MoS₂ NPs (90nm) were synthesized and characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analyses. Antifungal assays revealed that smaller ZnO NPs (30nm) exhibited superior antifungal activity due to their high surface-to-volume ratio, achieving up to 79% inhibition of F. oxysporum, while MoS₂ NPs effectively inhibited F. graminearum growth by inducing oxidative stress and cellular damage, with a maximum inhibition rate of 83% (p < 0.05). The combination of ZnO and MoS₂ NPs demonstrated synergistic antifungal effects, as confirmed by light microscopy, which showed that ZnO NPs disrupted fungal cell wall integrity while MoS₂ NPs triggered oxidative stress and intracellular vacuolization. Greenhouse trials further validated the effectiveness of MoS₂ NPs in reducing Fusarium head blight (FHB) severity in wheat, underscoring their potential for sustainable wheat protection, with disease severity reduced by up to 35.8%. These findings highlight ZnO and MoS₂ NPs as promising eco-friendly alternatives to conventional fungicides, though further research is needed to optimize field applications, assess environmental impact, and integrate these NPs into comprehensive plant disease management strategies.

Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Pisonia Alba leaf extract and its antibacterial activity

Zinc oxide nanoparticles can be classified as a multipurpose material, along with their distinctive features and applications in optoelectronic devices. This research looks at the morphological, structural, and optical features of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles. The sol-gel procedure has been used to form zinc oxide nanoparticles with zinc nitrate [Zn (NO3)2.4H2O] and sodium hydroxide [NaOH] as precursors. The main objective is to synthesize zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles by using the sol-gel approach because that is easy to implement and offers the capacity to adjust particle size and morphology by systematically monitoring reaction conditions. X-ray diffraction phenomenon, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Ultraviolet-vis spectroscopy characterization techniques were used to determine the structural, morphological, and optical features of produced zinc oxide nanoparticles. According to the XRD examination, the produced nanoparticles are in a highly crystalline phase nature. The high crystallinity of ZnO is observed in all diffraction peaks, implying that Zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized properly using the sol-gel process. The UV-vis spectroscopy produced an absorption spectrum at 370nm due to ZnO nanoparticles. The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) measurements reveal the surface structure and grains size of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles at a different resolution.

Green synthesis of ZnO and CuO NPs using Ficus benghalensis leaf extract and their comparative study for electrode materials for high performance supercapacitor application

Surface modification of zinc oxide nanoparticles by vinyltriethoxy silane (VTES)

Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were prepared using a simple green synthesis approach in an alkaline medium, from three different extracts of citrus peels waste. The synthesized nano-crystalline materials were characterized by using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), x-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). UV-vis analysis of the nanoparticles showed broad peaks around 360 nm for the ZnO NPs (Zinc oxide nanoparticles) from three citrus peels’ extracts. ZnO NPs exhibited Zn–O band close to 553 cm−1, which further verified the formation of the ZnO NPs. A bandgap of 3.26 eV, 3.20 eV and 3.30 eV was calculated for the ZnO NPs from grape (ZnO NPs/GPE), lemon (ZnO NPs/LPE), and orange (ZnO NPs/OPE) peels extract, respectively. The average grain sizes of the ZnO nanoparticles were evaluated to be 30.28 nm, 21.98 nm, and 18.49 nm for grape (ZnO NPs/GPE), lemon (ZnO NPs/LPE), and orange (ZnO NPs/OPE) peel extract, respectively. The surface morphology and sizes of the nanoparticle were confirmed by ESEM and TEM analysis, respectively. Furthermore, the zeta potential of the as-prepared ZnO NPs from OPE, LPE, and GPE was −34.2 mV, −38.8 mV, and −42.9 mV, respectively, indicating the high stability of the nanoparticles. Cyclic voltammetric properties of the synthesized nanoparticles were investigated across extracts, and the results showed that the citrus peels extracts (CPE) mediated ZnO NPs modified screen plate carbon (SPC/ ZnO NPs/CPE) electrodes exhibited enhanced catalytic properties when compared with the bare SPCE. The electroactive areas computed from the enhancement of the bare SPCE was approximately three times for SPCE/ ZnO NPs/LPE, and SPCE/ZnO NPs/GPE, and two times for SPCE/ZnO NPs/OPE, higher than that of the bare SPCE. Comparison across the extracts suggested that the catalytic properties of the nanoparticles were unique in ZnO NPs from GPE.

Nanotechnology is a rapidly developing field of research that studies materials having dimensions of less than 100 nanometers. It is applicable in many areas of life sciences and medicine including skin care and personal hygiene, as these materials are the essential components of various cosmetics and sunscreens. The aim of the present study was to synthesize Zinc oxide (ZnO) and Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) by using Calotropis procera (C. procera) leaf extract. Green synthesized NPs were characterized by UV spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to investigate their structure, size, and physical properties. The antibacterial and synergistic effects of ZnO and TiO2 NPs along with antibiotics were also observed against bacterial isolates. The antioxidant activity of synthesized NPs was analyzed by their α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. In vivo toxic effects of the synthesized NPs were evaluated in albino mice at different doses (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg body weight) of ZnO and TiO2 NPs administered orally for 7, 14, and 21 days. The antibacterial results showed that the zone of inhibition (ZOI) was increased in a concentration-dependent manner. Among the bacterial strains, Staphylococcus aureus showed the highest ZOI, i.e., 17 and 14 mm against ZnO and TiO2 NPs, respectively, while Escherichia coli showed the lowest ZOI, i.e., 12 and 10 mm, respectively. Therefore, ZnO NPs are potent antibacterial agents compared to TiO2 NPs. Both NPs showed synergistic effects with antibiotics (ciprofloxacin and imipenem). Moreover, the DPPH activity showed that ZnO and TiO2 NPs have significantly (p > 0.05) higher antioxidant activity, i.e., 53% and 58.7%, respectively, which indicated that TiO2 has good antioxidant potential compared to ZnO NPs. However, the histological changes after exposure to different doses of ZnO and TiO2 NPs showed toxicity-related changes in the structure of the kidney compared to the control group. The current study provided valuable information about the antibacterial, antioxidant, and toxicity impacts of green synthesized ZnO and TiO2 NPs, which can be influential in the further study of their eco-toxicological effects.

Nanotechnology is a completely unique branch of technology that offers with substances in a very small size between (1–100 nm) with various crystal shapes. Metals have ability to produce large number of oxides. These metal oxides play a major role in many areas of chemistry, physics, material science and food science. In this research, Zinc Oxide (ZnO) and Copper (II) oxide nanoparticles were synthesized via sol–gel process using zinc nitrate and copper (II) nitrate as precursor respectively. The characterization of CuO and ZnO nanoparticles was done by using various techniques. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) indicates the crystallinity and crystal size of CuO and ZnO nanoparticle. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to get the infrared spectrum of the sample indicating composition of the sample which contains various functional groups. XRD result shows the particle size of CuO at highest peak 29.40140 was 61.25 nm and the particle size of ZnO at highest peak 36.2476° was 21.82 nm. FT-IR spectra peak at 594.56 cm-1 indicated characteristic absorption bands of ZnO nanoparticles and the broad band peak at 3506.9 cm−1 can be attributed to the characteristic absorption of O–H group. The analysis of FT-IR spectrum of CuO shows peaks at 602.09, 678.39, and 730.19 cm−1 which refer to the formation of CuO. SEMimages indicate the morphology of CuO and ZnO nanoparticles. Result of EDX characterization indicates that the both synthesized nanoparticles have good purity with very less amount of impurities. EDX data indicates that Cu content was 54.56%, oxygen content was 33.75% in CuO nanoparticles and Zn determined by EDX was 40.77 and O was 45.82 in ZnO.Graphical

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles have wide-ranging applications and can be synthesized using environmentally friendly green synthesis methods as an alternative to conventional approaches. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is an extremely perilous bacterium known for its multidrug-resistant (MDR) nature, posing a significant threat to hospitalized patients and those with compromised immune systems. The bacterium's ability to withstand multiple antibiotics, combined with its capacity to form biofilms, contributes to its high rates of morbidity and mortality. The intrinsic resistance of P. aeruginosa, along with its ability to form biofilms, further complicates treatment and exacerbates the severity of infections, particularly in susceptible patient populations. Objective: The main objective of this study was to utilize extracts from Ocimum basilicum leaves in a green synthesis approach to produce zinc oxide nanoparticles. Additionally, the research aimed to assess the antibacterial effectiveness of these synthesized nanoparticles against P. aeruginosa. Materials and Methods: In this study, ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using the leaf extract of O. basilicum plants under various parameters. The biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles was verified using a UV-visible spectrophotometer and characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The synthesized ZnO nanoparticles exhibited significant antibacterial efficacy. Specifically, they demonstrated antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa pathogens. Different concentrations of both O. basilicum extract and synthesized ZnO nanoparticles were tested against P. aeruginosa and observed antibacterial activity. Results: indicated that the ZnO NPs synthesized from O. basilicum exhibited stronger antibacterial activity compared to the plant extract alone. The most effective concentrations were found to be 1.0, 1.5, and 3 mg/ml of prepared ZnO nanoparticles. Increasing the concentration of ZnO nanoparticles resulted in enhanced inhibition of bacterial growth in P. aeruginosa. Conclusion: The green synthesis of ZnO NPs using plant extracts has demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against P.aeruginosa. The high concentration of the ZnO NPs resulted in larger inhibition zones at higher concentrations. These findings underscore the possibility of green-synthesized ZnO NPs as an antimicrobial agent for P. aeruginosa. The environmentally friendly and cost-effective nature of the green synthesis method further enhances its appeal for future applications in antibacterial treatments.

Nowadays, the use of 3D printing method in the construction of scaffolds is significantly common for bone tissue engineering applications. Moreover, the addition of nanoparticles and additives can significantly improve the mechanical and biological properties of polymeric scaffolds as polymers alone are not able to show enough performances. In this study, composite scaffolds based on polycaprolactone (PCL) containing different amounts of zinc oxide (ZnO) and Baghdadite (B) nanoparticles were fabricated by 3D printing method as novel combinations for bone tissue engineering. Then, their physical, mechanical, and biological properties were investigated. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the composite showed uniform and porous structures with open porosity. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of the scaffolds confirmed that no reaction occurred between PCL, B, and ZnO nanoparticles during the fabrication of composite scaffolds. The PCL/B/ZnO composite scaffolds showed high compressive strength. They also showed weight loss during 4 weeks, which was related to PCL degradation. The high bioactivity of the composite scaffolds was confirmed by dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS). SEM images showed the formation of calcium phosphate (CaP) layer on scaffolds in simulated body fluid (SBF). Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis confirmed the formation of apatite layer on their surfaces. Based on the results of the (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) (MTT) test, cell proliferation on the scaffolds increased after 72 h, which shows that the scaffolds are biocompatible and non-toxic. SEM images showed that the cells on the surface of PCL-based nanocomposite scaffolds prepared had a suitable density. The results of alizarin red staining showed a significant amount of calcium deposition on the scaffolds. It has been shown that PCL-based nanocomposite scaffolds containing B and ZnO nanoparticles are suitable candidates for use in bone tissue engineering applications as they have suitable mechanical, biological, and physical properties.

In the present study commercial zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles in the size of 30 nm were utilized as an adsorbent for the removal of Ni (II) ion from synthetic waste aqueous solution. Adsorption capacity of ZnO for removing Ni (II) ions from aqueous solutions was measured at different pH, adsorbent dose, contact time, temperature and metal ion concentration. Moreover, adsorption isotherms, kinetics and thermodynamics were studied to understand the nature and mechanism of adsorption. ZnO nanoparticles were characterized by X-Ray diffract analysis(XRD),Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy(FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM),energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDS) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). The maximum amount of Ni (II) removal were found to be (98.71%) from its aqueous solutions by ZnO nanoparticles which was achieved at the evaluated optimum conditions. The experimental kinetic data were examined using the pseudo-second-order rate model with a high regression coefficient. The adsorption isotherm was well described to the equilibrium data by Langmuir isotherm model (R2=0.990). In addition, the calculated thermodynamic parameters, the standard Gibbs free energy ΔGo, the change in standard enthalpy ∆Ho and the standard entropy change ∆So showed that the adsorption of Ni (II) onto ZnO nanoparticles was feasible, endothermic and spontaneous respectively. The experimental results suggest that ZnO nanoparticles can be used as a potential adsorbent for the efficient removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions than any other adsorbent because an economical and low- consumption energy due to its ambient operation conditions.

In the present study, Veronica multifida leaf extract and zinc acetate dihydrate were utilized to synthesize zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) eco-friendly and cost-effectively under different physical conditions. Soxhlet extractor was used for the preparation of aqueous plant extract. UV-Vis (ultraviolet-visible) spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to characterize the ZnO NPs. UV-Vis spectrophotometer in the range of 200-800 nm was used to get information about the formation of ZnO NPs at different pH and temperatures. FTIR spectrum revealed the presence of functional groups in ZnO NPs. XRD, scanning electron microscope, and TEM analyses confirmed the crystal structure and average size of ZnO NPs. The antimicrobial activities of ZnO NPs were tested on microorganisms, that is, Escherichia coli ATCC 43895, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella typhimurium. Moreover, antibiofilm activity of ZnO NPs was performed against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus ATCC 29213. ZnO NPs have shown effective antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities against tested microorganisms. The results elucidated that eco-friendly and cost-effectively produced ZnO NPs could be used as coating materials and in a wide range of industrial applications, such as pharmaceutical industries and cosmetics.

Green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using Abutilon Indicum and Tectona Grandis leaf extracts for evaluation of anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and in-vitro cytotoxicity activities

The new reaction between zinc(II) chloride and glutaconic acid (C5H6O4) was studied. The results indicate the formation of zinc(II) glutaconate complex with a molar ratio of metal to organic ligand (glutaconic acid) of 2:1 with the general formula [Zn2(C5H4O4)(Cl)2(H2O)2].4H2O. The infrared spectrum of the glutaconate suggested that the two carboxylate groups are bidentate chelating. The current study uses a thermal breakdown approach to synthesize zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs). The synthesized ZnO NPs were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR). The crystallite size was calculated using Scherer's formula, which was 54 nm. The degradation of hydrogen peroxide, or H2O2, solution was used to test the produced ZnO NPs' catalytic activity performance. The results showed that ZnO NPs could efficiently break down H2O2. The ZnO NPs' photocatalytic capabilities have been assessed using methylene blue (MB) and UV light in an aqueous solution, according to the data, 77% of photocatalytic degradation towards MB in 240 min occurs. KEY WORDS: ZnO NPs, Methylene blue dye, Photocatalytic, Metal-glutaconate complexation. Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2025, 39(2), 257-270. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v39i2.6

Purpose The durability of nanoparticles (NPs) is essential to retain their multifunctional properties on the surface of textile products. This study aims to propose a durable and compatible zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) formulation with good antibacterial, ultraviolet (UV) resistance and moisture management properties. Design/methodology/approach One-step synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) was done through wet chemical technique and characterized through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques. Various formulations containing nanoparticles of ZnO along with optimized concentrations of binder, emulsifier nanoparticles and softener are developed and applied to polyester knitted fabric through the pad-dry-cure method. The treated polyester fabric is evaluated for its antibacterial and UV protection activity, moisture management properties, air permeability and durability. Findings Results show that the zinc oxide nanoparticles have a hexagonal wurtzite structure with a 60–70 nm particle size. FTIR and SEM analysis of nano-loaded polyester knitted fabric before washing and after 20 washes confirm the presence of zinc oxide nanoparticles which shows the durability of the optimized formulation. The treated samples have shown promising antibacterial and moisture management properties and are durable up to 20 washing cycles. Originality/value The incorporation of metal oxides into textile materials to enhance their antimicrobial properties has been the subject of considerable research, particularly about cotton and other natural fibers. These natural fibers possess polar sites that promote the effective attachment of metal oxide particles. In contrast, there has been limited investigation into the application of these metal oxides on polyester, a non-polar fiber. Although significant attention has been given to the size and shape of nanoparticles, there remains a notable lack of studies focusing on the impact of binder types and their concentrations on the durability of coated fabrics. This research aims to address the existing gap in knowledge by examining the effects of various binder types and concentrations, in conjunction with differing concentrations of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles, on the functional properties and durability of nanoparticle-coated fabrics. The ultimate objective is to enhance the comfort and overall performance of these fabrics for the wearer.